Frost and ice have cost thousands of hectares of potatoes in the South African state of Limpopo, in the northeast of the country. According to Potatoes New Zealand, the damage amounts to tens of millions of euros. This also affects the market.
It is not the first time that frost has impacted South African potatoes, but the extent of the damage is exceptional. In the second week of July, the mercury locally dropped to -7 degrees in the state of Limpopo. Africans speak of 'black ice'. A term originating from shipping, referring to sudden ice formation due to the freezing of mist or drizzle. Photos show potato crops and pivots covered with a thick layer of ice.
'Damage incredible'
Vegetable crops and especially potatoes in Limpopo have been affected by what South Africans call 'black frost'. While in neighboring Zimbabwe the mercury touched 50 degrees, across the border it dropped to -6. Deidre Carter, chairperson of the advocacy group Agri Limpopo, describes the situation as exceptional. "The damage is incredible and will inevitably impact availability and prices," she told local media. Potato, tomato, and citrus growers are particularly affected. Many fruit trees have died due to the frost.
Limpopo is the only area in South Africa where potatoes can be planted between February and June. This allows the country to have 'fresh' potatoes year-round. Along with Free State and Western Cape, it accounts for 70% of the country's potato production. The area amounts to about 51,000 hectares, with an annual production of 2.6 million tons.
€23.5 million in damages
Potatoes South Africa, the organization for African potato cultivation, estimates the damage at €23.5 million, but says it is still working on an exact assessment. It concerns about 3,000 hectares affected by frost. Amounting to 150,000 tons. In the second week of July, temperatures dropped at night to between -3 and -8 degrees. Nighttime temperatures have since risen to 6 to 9 degrees above zero.
It is not the first time that frost has had a major impact on the harvest. In 2021, late July frost hit Limpopo. Prices then rose by a fifth for a bag of sorted potatoes. Potatoes New Zealand fears that gaps in potato supply may arise when harvesting begins.
Second miss in a row
TLU SA (Transvaal Agricultural Union), a commercial farmers' organization, calls on the local government to financially support farmers. This is particularly important for potato growers, who are financially vulnerable. The past potato season was already challenging due to heavy rainfall.
Not all potato growers are pessimistic. For example, farmer CT van der Merwe hopes that good market prices will offset a lower harvest. He has a company in Dendron, in the middle of Limpopo. "The mercury dropped to -3 here, it's the worst frost I've seen in twenty years," he told a South African website. "The financial damage is difficult to predict, depending on potato prices." Van der Merwe hopes his crops will recover. "A potato can recover incredibly well because it can draw from the seed potato tuber in the ground."
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